Christmas Survey

[starcrossed]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate w/ mini marshmallows

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa wraps all the presents of course....

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Small colored lights on the fake tree . I learned to go camping 2 years ago, and don't have the heart to have a real tree cut down and dragged in the house....Damn nature and it's beauty!!!!I love trees!!!!!!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope.

5. When do you put your decorations up? This year the tree went up on Thanksgiving Day.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? My Moms green chili, cheese, chicken tamales. Yummy

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood: Being with my Grandparents and all my family. Things are different now. My family doesn't get together anymore. I miss that.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? After I caught my Mom getting change from my piggy bank for her $5.00 bill during the tooth fairy incident. No real tooth fairy, no Santa???That was it.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Tradition was that all presents would be opened on Christmas Eve at home, and on Christmas Day we would go spend time entirely with family.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? That depends on the mood of the season.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Snow??? We don't have that in L.A. so I can't say more than it looks pretty. Maybe, if I lived in it that would be different.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes??No?? I don't know. I took lessons when I was a kid. I thought I wanted to be like the professionals on t.v. To say the least I sucked and my butt hurt from falling...end of dream. I haven't been on a pair of skates since.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My son. He will always be my gift.

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Family. The most important thing is my family.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? I like them all

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I don't have them anymore.

17. What tops your tree? A simple angel.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? I'll Be Home For Christmas.

20. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas

[rachael]

Amy, A Princess Diana Beanie Baby? I would love to see a pic of that....I love Princess Diana.

[HY]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? During the holidays I love eggnog (especially with a little rum! ). But I also like to flavor my hot chocolate with eggnog. Yum!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Both

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No

5. When do you put your decorations up? Usually around Thanksgiving - haven't put them up yet this year!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Don't really have one for Christmas!

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood: Having the whole family together (my Dad's side) at one of my aunts'/uncles' houses when my grandfather was still alive.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Don't remember

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? We collect ornaments as souvenirs from our travels and we decorate the tree with all of those ornaments.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it when it's newly fallen and unspoiled. Hate to drive in it!

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, but haven't in years!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? No

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? The fun of seeing happy and excited children!

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Don't really have a favorite!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Don't really have any traditions.

17. What tops your tree? A large bow

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer Boy/Do You hear What I Hear/Do They Know it's Christmas.

20. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas/Holiday Inn.

[chanvre]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate, but with cinnamon!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
When I was growing up, Santa used to just put them under the tree. I like to wrap (and unwrap!) presents.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
I like white. Simple but still festive.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Nope. I've never been under it either.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Each year is different. Sometimes it's at the very beginning of December or a week after. Currently, we have nothing!
Only a week to go and NOTHING! I'm so ashamed.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Stuffing, for sure. I could a whole plate of it and nothing else.

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood:
All of the Christmas Eve parties at my house. I especially loved the moments afterwards when everyone left and it was just the four of us. I would be so overwhelmed with excitement about Santa coming. Not because of presents, but because I always promised myself that THIS would be the year that I would actually see him. I tried to stay awake all night, but it never worked.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I think I was maybe 10? I can't really remember. I kept questioning my mom about why she needed my letter to Santa. Basically, I got a little too inquisitive for my own good and she was forced to drop the bomb.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
It depends. Last year we did a vintage 50's Christmas theme. I like to have different ones every year.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
I love snow! In fact, I love the cold. I would live as an eskimo if I could.

12. Can you ice skate?
No way. No how.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Oh, man. That would be a toss up between a Cabbage Patch doll OR Teddy Ruxpin. Hahaha!

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
My family.


15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
I have a newfound love for pumpkin pie. With vanilla ice cream on top! I'd never eaten it before until a couple of years ago.


16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Decorating the tree!

17. What tops your tree?
Usually a star.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
GIVING! I put a ton of thought into gift-giving. It's my mission to get the perfect one!

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree!

20. Favorite Christmas movie?
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Hysterical.

[ratdigger]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Eggnog with a shot

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? wrap

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? white

4. Do you hang mistletoe? no

5. When do you put your decorations up? 2 weeks before

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? hmmmmmmmm?

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood: Opening my present and a puppy jumped out.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? THERES NO SANTA?!!!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Thats when we celebrate

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? white lights, ornaments, bead strings

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it, if its not nj snow

12. Can you ice skate? no

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? this year, my granddaughter

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? family

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? easy...my mother inlaws fruit and nut cake

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? opening the stockings

17. What tops your tree? a homemade star

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? giving of course

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Little drummer boy

20. Favorite Christmas movie? Its a Wonderful Life

[cfbj01]

Amy, A Princess Diana Beanie Baby? I would love to see a pic of that....I love Princess Diana.

Me too - I just checked Ebay- I may have to buy one of those.

[cfbj01]

There were quite a few on Ebay.

[Ayesa86]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot Chocolate.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? *shrug* He's always been more a fireplace guy.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I have four cats. Mistletoe stays outside where it belongs.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Whenever my mom finds the time.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Eh...Belgian waffles.

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood: Probably playing Lord of the Rings RISK with my cousin and trouncing people with my only starting lands being Mordor and the Shire.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think I kinda always knew in the back of my mind, I just ignored it.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Nah...

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? *shrug* However is conveniant I suppose.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Dread it! Cold, wet, bleah.

12. Can you ice skate? No.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Nah, it's hard to choose.

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Having time to relax.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Cheesecake.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Waffles on Christmas morning.

17. What tops your tree? Depends on our moods. On year it was actually a laser gate to keep the cats at bay.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? *shrug* Receiving is nice, but I'd just as soon give, depending on my mood.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? hmmm...I'm rather fond of "Greensleeves" and "Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer".

20. Favorite Christmas movie? Definately "Scrooged"

[chitowngirl]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Always wrapped.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope.

5. When do you put your decorations up? First or second week of December.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? My Grandma's turkey meatballs. She makes regular too, but the turkey ones are just for me.

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood: Singing 12 days of Christmas and playing Pictionary with my extended family.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think someone at school told me in the second grade. Or maybe it was first?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Sometimes. It depends if we are in transit.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? White lights, gold garland and lots of red and gold ornaments mixed with other colors. A gold sparkly angel on top.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it the first time. Dread it after that.

12. Can you ice skate? Yep! I used to live near an ice rink and I got ice skates for Christmas every year growing up.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? An It's So Easy sewing machine. (although my cousin and I thought it was called a "Whistle Weezy")

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Getting together with family.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? My aunt's sugar cookies.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Probably just getting together with family.

17. What tops your tree? A gold, sparkly angel.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? GIVING! I search high and low for the perfect gifts!

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Merry Christmas (All Year Long!)

20. Favorite Christmas movie? Charlie Brown Christmas

[Mad For Martay]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?

Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?

Wrap them!! Thats half the fun right there tearing it off

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

Tree/ red white and green .....house red/white

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

yep

5. When do you put your decorations up?

day after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

The Christmas eve Seafood feast Lobster/ Crab

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood:

My dad standing at the stove making his famous Holiday Pancakes

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

What truth?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

some at my Mother in laws house

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

Our christmas tree has been taken over by Hockey player ornaments we have a ton of them...but now that we have a girl we have added girly ornaments too!

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?

Love to look at it! Hate to shovel it!

12. Can you ice skate?

of course I can been skating since I was four.....thats something we always do as a family and we love playing ice hockey!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

My black leather fringed jacket I think I was about 14....but I still have it

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?

being with family

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Cochanits ( Italian xmas cookie thats filled with nuts and honey...the recipe was my husbands great great great great grandmothers recipe from Italy and I still make it carring on the tradition )

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

cutting down the Christmas tree every year with the kids

17. What tops your tree?

the same star we have been using since my first child was born almost 17 years ago


18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?

I like both

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Merry Christmas (all year long)
Blue Christmas/ Elvis Presley

20. Favorite Christmas movie?

Year Without a Santa Clause
A Christmas Story

[Cheza]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Definitely hot chocolate!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Everything must be wrapped. One year my gifts from my mom were late (DVDs). She asked if she had to wrap them since I was just going to rip them open two seconds later. "YESSSSSSSSSS." So, she did.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored lights are my preference, and that is what will be on my tree. No lights are hung outside at my house. The old buildings on the town courtsquare are outlined with white lights. However, the city's lights on the lamp posts are colored and colored lights decorate some of the trees on the square. It's so pretty. I'll have to get up there and take a wristband pic.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I haven't in years. I don't have much company - I tend to meet people elsewhere.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Usually I decorate the first weekend of December, but I'm running behind. I'm putting lights on the tree and decorating it today.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I don't have one. I'm a very finicky eater. If pressed, I guess I'd have to say grandma's fried potatoes or mom's yeast rolls (and I know rolls are not a dish!).

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood: Caroling with the church youth group or with family members and driving around to see the lights.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember. It seems like it might have been at lunch one day while I was in elementary school - in other words, from another kid.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Not usually, unless my dad comes to town early or somit.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

As I said before, there are colored lights on my tree. It is covered in ornaments the family (mainly me and my mom) have collected over the years. Some ornaments are handmade, and were gifts from friends or things we created in our spare time (i.e. cross-stitch, painted ceramics, little craft projects, glass orbs with pictures inside...more on that later in another thread).

For a number of years we bought each other engravable ornaments at Wal-Mart. We have almost enough of those alone to cover the tree. We have a few glass hearts, carousel horses, wooden blocks, and things of that ilk as well.

A few Hallmark and Carlton Cards ornaments are also tossed into the mix. I think I may hang my Phantom of the Opera ornaments on the tree this year. I know I will be hanging the ones for "A Christmas Story" on it...that's for sure.

There is no tinsel on our tree due to the four feline inhabitants of this house...Cosette tries to eat it...although I did catch Shadow chewing on a tree branch this morning...*sigh*.

The top is capped by an angel. I'm not sure which one it will be this year. One is clad in pink and the other is dressed in white. We have several angel ornaments that are placed near her to top it off with the cherubs and angels as you view the top of the tree.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Want it BAD! I get off work if it snows! It's one of the perks of being a school teacher !

12. Can you ice skate? Ummm...NO. I'm inherently clumsy

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Umm...hmmm...good question. My favorite "adult" gift would be the acoustic guitar I BEGGED for after graduating from high school 15 years ago, but have yet to learn to play. I will...it's just a matter of finding the time...and conning my cousin into teaching me how to play ;D.

As for when I was a kid...hmmm...I still clearly remember the Christmas morning when I walked into the living room and there stood a Cabbage Patch Kid in a doll baby bed. I couldn't believe mom had managed to get one (this was when people were breaking each others' legs over the things in the stores)....Karina Ginger. But then again, I loved my Cootie game, my Play-Doh barbershop, and Colorforms!

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Remembering the reason for the season and good times with good friends and family.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Pumpkin Pie.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Trimming the tree is my favorite.

17. What tops your tree? Angels...one big one at the tip-top and lots of smaller ones on the branches immediately below her.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving makes me feel all warm inside, although receiving is nice as well...but I'd definitely have to say giving.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

The song that I seem to find myself listening to the most this Christmas is by this band called the Lovehammers , have you ever heard of them? *Wicked Grin* "Merry Christmas (All Year Long) - yes, indeed! I've even played it for the kiddies at school !

There's really too many to mention. I catch myself singing along with almost all of them. I'd have to say that I especially like the bluesy stuff - "Merry Christmas Darlin'" by the Carpenters, "On Christmas Day" by Dido, "Blue Christmas" by Elvis (it has to be his version), "All I Want for Christmas Is You"...and ANYTHING by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

20. Favorite Christmas movie? Once again there's too many - so I'll stick with these: "A Christmas Story", "A Charlie Brown Christmas", and "Emmitt Otter's Jug-Band Christmas"!!!!

[LMC]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? hot chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? wrapped

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? white

4. Do you hang mistletoe? no

5. When do you put your decorations up? a week or 2 before christmas

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? don't have one

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood: going to visit my dad after he came back from iraq

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? what do you mean the truth about santa...did he do something wrong?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? if i can sneak one without getting caught

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? with lots of presents for me underneath

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? it's 79 degrees...and i'm loving it

12. Can you ice skate? yes

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? an iPod....that broke

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? spending time with the family

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? pumpkin pie

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? decorating the tree

17. What tops your tree? the roof

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? giving to me

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? merry christmas (all year long) -and yes that counts as a christmas song!

20. Favorite Christmas movie? the grinch that stole christmas

[hammerdude]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?
Eggnog

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Tosses 'em under the tree...

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Red lights, haha!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Yeah...not saying where though

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Whenever...

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
...Is eggnog a "holiday dish"?

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood:
Gettin' my first instrument when I was, like, 10

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
...The truth about Santa?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
...If I can

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
With shiny things

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
First snow, love it...all those after just suck

12. Can you ice skate?
Yes, but only while on my butt

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Yes...

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Family...friends are a very close second

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Those old-school sugar cookies with the red and green sprinkles

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Going to parties

17. What tops your tree?
Nuthin

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
...This a trick question?

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Merry Christmas (All Year Long)

20. Favorite Christmas movie?
The music vid to Merry Christmas (All Year Long), duh! ...Oh, and Christmas Story...when that kid gets his tongue stuck on the pole...frickin priceless! ;D

[hootiowl]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? hot chocolate - but made with real chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? he wraps dem all - even the stocking presents

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? white, for everything

4. Do you hang mistletoe? nopes

5. When do you put your decorations up? usually the weekend after thanksgiving, but sadly this year i only did a tree since we are moving (i am such a slacker)

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? my grandmothers "norwegian" deer.

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood: me and my sisters having our own tree in our playroom and decorating it ourselves.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? eek....say it ain't so....i still have the red suit

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? yeps, and christmas morning, and christmas day and christmas night (we have lots of family)

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? my themes change yearly

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? love it, it actually snowed 2 years ago down here, but it only occures about every 10 years or so

12. Can you ice skate? yes, but badly

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? yes..... it is fantastic

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Family, and lots of it

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? whiskey whip

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? christmas eve, we have my whole family over for a big sit down dinner (about 40 people)

17. What tops your tree? bow

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? giving - especially to my son

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? the 12 yats of christmas

20. Favorite Christmas movie? a christmas story - it's priceless

[heartotexas]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate with lots and lots of marshmallows

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa must wrap every present.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I love colored lights but this year my daughter talked me into using white lights. It's just not the same. *sigh*. Next year colored lights galore!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope

5. When do you put your decorations up? Varies

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Turkey and dressing. We do the whole Thanksgiving feast again at Christmas.

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood: As a child, we always went to church on Christmas Eve. The children put on the whole service ---- singing, doing skits, quoting Bible verses. It was our program. Then we went back to my grandparents' house and Lo and Behold, Santa had come while we were out! The whole family including aunts, uncles, cousins would gather around the tree and open presents. Those were wonderful times.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Don't recall any shocks about the big guy

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Growing up, we always opened gifts on Christmas Eve, now it's pretty much on Christmas morning.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? The best ornaments are the ones that the children have made over the years so that we can relive special family moments when we hang them on the tree.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? I live in Central Texas so snow is a rarity. Might get a few flakes every ten years or so......everyone here loves snow because it's so exotic!

12. Can you ice skate? The only ice around here is in cubes.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My favorite gift was a Toni doll when I was five years old. It came dressed in a beautiful bride's dress; the most gorgeous doll I ever had. That was also the Christmas I got a big black steam locomotive train set. Hmmm.

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Being with my family.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Changes from year to year.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Candlelight Christmas Eve service at the church.

17. What tops your tree? In the past always had a star --- this year it's an angel.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Definitely giving although I really, really hate shopping.....quite a quandary.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Love all the classic Christmas carols: Silent Night, The First Noel, We Three Men, Joy to the World.....

20. Favorite Christmas movie? Love them all, but absolutely must watch the first Peanuts Christmas special every year (Charlie Brown and his little tree!).

[.::Luna::.]

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?
both (homemade)

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Both

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
white lights on white tree, colored lights on family tree, white lights outside

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
nope I just kiss whenever I want whoever I want ...kiss,kiss

5. When do you put your decorations up?
The day after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
bread

7. Favorite holiday memory from childhood:
none

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
DOn't remember in believing in Santa.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
no

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
White tree has gold/pearl/and white ornaments and flowers.
Family tree (real tree) has kids decorations made from school, ornaments given as gifts, and homemade ornaments.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
Love!!!!

12. Can you ice skate?
I can fall on my but really well ^_^

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Get one every year^_^

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Making it memorable for my kids.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Anything chocolate

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Too many to pick just one.

17. What tops your tree?
Angel

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Santa Baby

20. Favorite Christmas movie?
Elf with Will Ferrill